---
General Pearl saw; with a single syllable she launched a crescent of azure light that bisected the Naga. Shards rained, sizzling where they hit sand. Cheers rippled through lines but quick palsy shivered the ground again, something worse is coming.
High above, the Queen's voice thundered, "Steady, children. The Ruler is near."
She and the generals shot forward, cutting a path toward an immense sinkhole opening six kilometres east where heat shimmered. Their auras left spirals of light as they vanished into swirling dust, off to confront A'zhorath directly.
That left the army to pin the Ruler's horde. Chaos thickened. Mia's squad pressed on forward. Thea's army raced to outpace them, trying to be first through the outer ranks. Rivalry smouldered even amid slaughter.
By noon, Kai had killed sixteen drakes (EXP +320) and two scarabs (EXP +80), pushing him over the brink.
[Ding! System notifications: Level Up!
Level 27 → 28 Aura +100]
